OUR land people stories

The most breathtaking thing about Bangarra's work (and there is an array of things to choose from), is the sheer scope of their artistry. The company is a cohesive, collaborative body of dancers, choreographers, musicians and designers, from nations all over Australia and the world. They work closely with communities, drawing on 40,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, fusing traditional storytelling with contemporary dance in a way that both honours culture and showcases the exceptional skills of the company members. Their latest work, OUR land people stories, is a triple bill that is at once a mourning of trauma, a reflection upon kinship and a celebration of the life of an artist. It encapsulates the company's unique ability to distill the infinite stories they encounter into a captivating and affecting theatre experience.

Opening with Jasmin Sheppard's Macq – you are unlikely to see anything more moving on stage this year. A response to the massacre at Appin in 1816, and the often untold legacy of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, Macq is a raw, sombre work with a feverish, frantic energy - of anger, grief, and just a glimpse of soon-to-be-shattered hope - which is contained by the impressive strength and control of the ensemble. This impulse is used to create shocking, stirring images across the stage. Daniel Riley as Macquarie is superb, he performs with absolute precision, from the cold sharpness of the opening confrontation to the frenzied declaration of war. The score, designed by the late David Page, swells around the movement on stage, lifts the performance to new heights and drops away when the sound of women singing and crying cuts to the bone. This national tour is dedicated to Page, and it is both a stunning display of his talent and a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Miyagan, choreographed by Beau Dean Riley Smith and Daniel Riley, cousins from the Wiradjuri nation, is a celebration of the strength and structure of family and kinship. The work plays with layers and tiers of contrasting and complementary movement, reflecting the structure of Wiradjuri kinship. Similarly, Matt Cox's embracing lighting design, Jacob Nash's grand set pieces, Jennifer Irwin's intricate costume design (with over 1000 hand-stitched emu feathers) and Paul Mac's music seamlessly blends flocks of cockatoos and playful bass, creating a textured, layered space for the story to unfold. It is a grand, wholesome work that paints a picture of a resilient, strong and exuberant community.

Finally, Nyapanyapa, choreographed by Bangarra's Artistic Director Stephen Page. A nuanced and visually stunning depiction of the life and work of Nyapanyapa, artist and proud Yolngu woman, with the mesmerising Elma Kris in the titular role. It is an incredible journey through years of Australian history, across the Australian landscape, from traditional forms of dance to contemporary movement and an emphatically joyous marriage of the two. Flawlessly amalgamating the immense talent of dancers and designers, this piece was full of tense action, raucous ensemble work that had the audience whooping, poignant engagement with Country and culture, and interactive visual art inspired by Nyapanyapa's own work. Irwin, Cox and Nash have created a rich world for the dancers to inhabit, supported by Steve Francis' buoyant composition, which uses natural sound recordings to great effect. It a beautifully fluid space to recreate the life of an artist. If you had any doubt before, OUR land stories people confirms Bangarra as masters of their craft.

Bangarra Dance Theatre present OUR Land People Stories at Arts Centre Melbourne to 10 Oct.